First U.S. Case of Flesh-Eating Parasite Confirmed in a Human This Year

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00:00First U.S. case of flesh-eating parasite confirmed in a human this year.

00:05The first U.S. case of a flesh-eating parasite, the New World Screwworm,

00:09was confirmed in a Maryland resident infected in El Salvador.

00:13Officials say the public health risk is very low.

00:19The New World Screwworm, a flesh-eating blowfly,

00:23lays eggs and wounds where larvae burrow into live tissue,

00:26causing severe, often deadly damage.

00:29Endemic to the Caribbean and South America,

00:32it mainly targets livestock, but can also infest humans with open wounds.

00:39On August 4, 2025, the CDC confirmed the case via telediagnosis.

00:46USDA traps across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia tested negative,

00:50and no spread to humans or livestock has been detected.

00:54In the 1960s, the U.S. eradicated the New World Screwworm

00:57using sterile insect release.

01:00Though rare reintroductions occur, like Florida's 2016-17 outbreak,

01:05they've been swiftly contained.

01:07The screwworm is spreading north through Mexico and Central America,

01:11prompting the USDA to build a Texas facility producing 300 million sterile flies

01:16weekly to protect U.S. livestock.

01:18The CDC advises travelers to cover wounds, wear protective clothing,

01:27and use bed nets and treated gear.

01:29Watch for painful wounds, odor, or larvae,

01:32and seek care immediately if symptoms appear.

01:35The CDC says NWS can only be treated by removing larvae.

01:40Monitor pets and livestock, seek vet care for wounds,

01:43and travelers should take precautions to avoid infection.